Bangladesh, Feb. 27 -- In a striking new development, US President Donald Trump has declared that Washington will recoup its financial and military assistance to Ukraine through a forthcoming mineral resources agreement. Trump made the statement on February 26 ahead of his first cabinet meeting, asserting that Ukraines President Vladimir Zelensky would travel to Washington on February 28 to finalize the deal. The agreement is expected to grant the US substantial rights over Ukraines rare-earth metals and other natural resources, a move that has already stirred controversy in both nations.

The deal marks a dramatic shift in US-Ukrainian relations, with Trump adopting a transactional approach toward Washingtons financial aid to Kiev. The U...